Location & Practice Overview

This on-site registered nurse position is based at Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, within Unit 5-1 Medicine. The hospital is part of Duke University Health System and provides medical, surgical, and diagnostic services in a community hospital setting. The assigned unit is a 36-bed acute care stepdown department. Candidates should confirm the specific unit assignment and reporting location with the hiring team before their first shift.

Employer Duke Regional Hospital
Unit Unit 5-1 Medicine
Facility Address 3643 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704
Care Setting Hospital-based acute care stepdown
Health System Duke University Health System

Responsibilities

  • Assess patients' nursing needs and develop individualized care plans based on clinical findings, physician orders, and established hospital procedures.
  • Deliver and document nursing interventions, reassess patient responses, and communicate significant changes in condition to the appropriate members of the care team.
  • Coordinate delegated care activities and supervise licensed and unlicensed personnel within applicable scope-of-practice requirements.
  • Maintain a safe care environment by monitoring equipment, following infection prevention procedures, and addressing identified safety concerns.
  • Support patient and family education, contribute to staff development as assigned, and participate in unit-level quality improvement activities.

The nurse is expected to exercise professional judgment, maintain accurate clinical documentation, and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Charge nurse, team leader, and preceptor responsibilities may be assigned according to unit needs.

Qualifications & Requirements

Applicants must meet the clinical experience, education, licensure, and safety requirements for an inpatient registered nurse position. Prior dialysis specialization is not listed as a mandatory qualification in the supplied posting.

Education
Graduation from an accredited Associate's Degree in Nursing or Nursing Diploma program
Licensure
Current North Carolina RN license or qualifying compact RN license
Experience
At least 2 years of appropriate clinical experience required
Certification
Basic Life Support (BLS) required
Pre-employment Requirement
Physical Capacity Testing required

Compensation & Benefits

The official posting describes this position as a limited-benefited PRN role with a flat hourly rate determined by years of experience. The exact rate should be confirmed with Duke recruitment before publication or acceptance of an offer.

  • Hourly compensation is based on the employer's PRN pay structure and the candidate's experience.
  • Relocation assistance may be available to eligible candidates.
  • The unit posting identifies potential bonuses for medical-surgical and geriatric certifications.
  • Conference attendance and other educational opportunities are identified as professional development options.
  • This position is classified as limited-benefited; candidates should verify which benefits apply to their appointment.

Schedule & Work Environment

Employment Type PRN, limited-benefited classification
Shift Length 12 hours
Minimum Commitment One 12-hour shift per week or one per biweekly pay period
Scheduling Self-scheduling in eight-week blocks
Weekend Requirement Weekend option included in scheduling

This is an on-site inpatient position rather than a remote nursing role. Applicants should confirm available shift assignments, weekend expectations, and scheduling procedures directly with the unit because individual arrangements may depend on staffing needs.

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

Unit 5-1 serves primarily adult inpatients whose conditions require acute medical care and stepdown-level nursing oversight. The official unit description identifies patients with end-stage renal disease, shortness of breath, and altered mental status as common presentations. This population requires nurses to recognize changes in clinical status, organize care according to patient priorities, and communicate concerns promptly to the interdisciplinary team.

Patient Group Primarily adult inpatients
Common Presentations End-stage renal disease, shortness of breath, altered mental status
Care Level Acute care stepdown
Unit Capacity 36 beds

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The role calls for broad inpatient nursing judgment rather than a narrowly defined dialysis-only function. Nurses must assess changing symptoms, evaluate responses to prescribed treatment, document interventions, and coordinate care with the wider clinical team. The unit's patient mix makes recognition of respiratory deterioration, changes in mental status, and complications associated with advanced renal disease particularly relevant to day-to-day nursing practice.

Clinical Assessment Ongoing assessment and evaluation of patient status
Treatment Coordination Implementation of prescribed care and timely escalation of concerns
Documentation Accurate recording of assessments, interventions, and patient responses
Team Communication Coordination with physicians and other healthcare professionals

Role Highlights

This role combines direct bedside nursing with opportunities to contribute to unit operations and professional learning. The position may suit experienced RNs who value clinical responsibility while preferring a limited PRN commitment over a standard full-time schedule.

  • Opportunity to serve as team leader or charge nurse when assigned and appropriately prepared.
  • Preceptor responsibilities supporting the development of colleagues and learners.
  • Potential participation in unit committees addressing geriatrics, infection prevention, diabetes care, and other improvement priorities.
  • Professional development opportunities identified by the unit, including conference attendance and relevant certification support.

About Duke Regional Hospital

Duke Regional Hospital is a community hospital in Durham, North Carolina, and part of Duke University Health System. The facility provides medical, surgical, and diagnostic services across a range of specialties. Duke Health describes the hospital as a 388-bed facility and highlights its role in serving Durham and surrounding communities. For candidates, the employer's wider health-system affiliation provides context for the clinical organization in which this inpatient nursing position operates.

Facility Size 388 beds
Organization Duke University Health System
Facility Type Community hospital
Services Medical, surgical, and diagnostic care
Location Durham, North Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dialysis experience required for this PRN role?
The published minimum requirements list two years of appropriate clinical experience but do not list prior dialysis specialization as mandatory. Familiarity with patients who have end-stage renal disease is advantageous given the unit’s common presentations.
How flexible is the PRN commitment on Unit 5-1?
Nurses commit to either one 12-hour shift per week or one 12-hour shift per biweekly pay period. Scheduling is managed through self-scheduling in eight-week blocks that include a weekend option.
Does this position include charge nurse or preceptor duties?
Yes. The role description explicitly includes the possibility of serving as team leader or charge nurse for a group of patients or the unit, as well as acting as a preceptor for staff and learners when assigned.
Are certification bonuses available to PRN nurses on this unit?
The unit posting identifies potential bonuses for medical-surgical and geriatric certifications along with support for conference attendance. Candidates should confirm eligibility and amounts for limited-benefited PRN appointments with recruitment.
What physical requirements apply?
Candidates must complete pre-employment Physical Capacity Testing. The role involves prolonged standing and walking in an inpatient stepdown environment.

Registered Nurse (RN) – General Medicine & Dialysis PRN in Durham, NC

Duke Regional Hospital is seeking an experienced registered nurse for its Unit 5-1 Medicine department in Durham, North Carolina. This inpatient PRN opportunity requires at least two years of appropriate clinical experience, a current North Carolina or qualifying compact RN license, and BLS certification. The 36-bed acute care stepdown unit serves adults with complex medical needs, including end-stage renal disease and respiratory symptoms. The position offers 12-hour shifts with a defined minimum work commitment. Candidates should confirm the current hourly rate, benefit eligibility, and unit-specific expectations with Duke recruitment.

Is This PRN Registered Nurse Role a Good Career Fit in Durham, NC?

This position may suit nurses who want to remain active in hospital-based care without committing to a conventional full-time schedule. Before applying, consider whether the required shift commitment fits your existing responsibilities and whether you are comfortable caring for medically complex adult inpatients. Candidates should also ask about orientation, staffing expectations, the distribution of day and night shifts, and how PRN hours are assigned. Clarifying these practical details can help you assess whether the role matches your clinical strengths, availability, and longer-term professional plans.

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